Top 20 1998 kawasaki VN 1500 Vulcan Classic - Page 2 Questions & Answers

its very difficult to change the oil pork cause it take time to remove the pork and its not easy to unbolt it..so better go to the nearest motocycle repairshop and ask them to change it..

You have a wheel that is out of balance

you need to change the big main jet. the stock size will be stamped on the jet. Go for one or two sizes bigger. Your motorcycle shop dealer will help you out when you buy the jets.

Mine 98 did the same thing..If you are putting hi test gas in it change it to regular unleaded. After a tank or two mine stopped backfiring completely.

The engines are the same, depending on model of the 2001 if its a classic then I'm sure it will, I would go to Vance & Hines's web site and check there fit on exhaust for a 1998 verses a 2001 you'll probably see that it carrys the same part number.

i use 89, my cbr recommends 91 but i cant really feel a big difference but i do feel a slight power loss when using 86..but it does run fine!
Actually a higher compressive motor should use a lower octane.. it helps it start up easier , also using thinner oils like 5 or 10w will help for easier starting in colder climates. can i get a rating on this one..thanks!

try a new thermostat, check for leaks, old or dilute coolant will not cause overheating

Are using the correct spark plug heat range?
Check also your valve tming.

ya destroy the altanator and starter gear on the starer and melt the battery.

on the right had side of the motor there should be a glass site toward the bottom....get someone to sit on the bike and stand it up......look through the site and the oil should be between the two marks
hope this helps

Contaminated fluid in the hydraulic clutch actuation system. Instead of a cable, your bike has a hydraulically actuated clutch. This system is great because it offers low maintenance and a relatively light clutch lever pull.
You will need to flush the system, refill with the appropriate fluid (check the owner's manual, but it is probably DOT4 brake fluid), inspect for leaks, and bleed.

i,m not sure about kawasaki, but honda change things slightly every 2 years ust enough to make this sort of thing hard to do,,if you can offer one up from a friends bike and see what it needs ,it might mean making some bracket changes,try a motorcycle breaker and see if they can help.

good luck

Hi and welcome to FixYa,

It would appear that the Vulcan has multiple issues:

• hesitation at low RPM - possibly a very lean air/fuel mix. Confirm by checking the colors of the plugs. It would be lean if the plugs are light brown to almost whitish. This could indicate either too much air or too little fuel.  Too much air could be an air leak (airbox side) or the absence of the original airbox or the use of aftermarket open breathers/high flow versions (such as K & Ns);
  
• 2 small washers - should normally be on the air pilot screw set, after the spring before the rubber O-ring.  its purpose is to protect the O-rings from being damaged by the sharp coil end of the spring when the air pilot screw is being adjusted;
• 2 small washers - if ever installed on the jet needle would be below the lock washer. Its purpose is to raise the height of the jet needle at rest condition.  This is a method of increasing the needle's up movement to compensate for lean mix (increasing fuel);
• backfiring - is normally a timing issue. However given the other symptoms described, it would be a fuel delilvery problem hence back to the carbs;
•  spitting gas - not enough vacuum. Either a vacuum leak (most unlikely otherwise idle would be high) or too much air or no airbox;
• after market pipes - would result to a lean mix.  May not be necessary to rejet but the washer / spacer trick should be able to address;
• adjustment on the pilot screw - number of turns out would be largely dependent on the other conditions. Rule of thumb would be to adjust out from fully in till the idle would no longer increase;
• intermittent / recurring problem - check/clean the tank, fuel cutoff valve (petcock), fuel filter, fuel pump, fuel regulator  and all others involved in the fuel delivery to the carbs.

Good luck and thank you for asking FixYa.

please visit this site www.xjbikes.com and go to 'other motor cycle ' forum.
:)

adjust the air to fuel mixture there is 2 much air going in and not enough fuel on the carb there will be a screw there are 2 one which is the mixture screw and one for the idle the idle will be the one sticking out more than the mixture screw

yes, something is loose, exhaust shield cover was a good guess. all you can do is check all bolts, fender or tank may be also loose. one way to check rattles is to start the bike when cold and try pressing different objects on bike by hand

Make sure you have new plugs and verify battery is good.

there is supposed to be a threated plug that goes there!

On the right side of the motorcycle, just behind the engine cover is a crome curved cover. Under the cover is the coolent inlet. The oil level sight glass is under same engine cover. Your exhaust pipe man be blocking your view.

Bent the gear shift lever and doesn't have clearance? It happened to me a few times.